Here and There - A Word of Exhortation and Comfort for 1998

Harold S. Paisley

As we enter another year of witness and
testimony for the soon coming Lord, we would address the readers
of Words in Season in the felicitous terms of John to the
beloved Gaius. "Beloved I pray that in all things thou
mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
prospereth" (3 John 2, R.V.). These words envisage blessing
and success both temporally, physically, and most important,
spiritually.

It is my desire to draw the attention of the
Lord's people to the two words at the heading of this paper,
"Here and There," trusting that the Spirit of God may
cause them to bring comfort and guidance during the rest of our
sojourn. What an effect if the Lord would cause them to find a
place in our thoughts and hearts.

Here (Hebrews 13:14)

This mention from the Hebrew letter is
"Here we have no continuing city." Ponder the great
meaning conveyed in this little word. How much it means to each
of us. It applies to all on earth. Here to the unbeliever is a
life of self-seeking pleasure, sin, and uncertainty:
"without Christ and no hope in this world." To the
child of God "here" is our place of hope and testimony.
The place where we got to know God and His Son, and where we
learn His ways and love. "Here" is also a place of
sorrow, trials, problems, and difficulties, and at times
loneliness. Here we experience heartbreak, tears and sadness.
Here we have no continuing city. It is a vanishing, fading,
passing scene. Our time is short. The Lord is coming at any
moment to bring us from here to there. He said, "Where I am,
there ye shall be also."

There (Revelation 22:5)

"There shall be no night there." What
a contrast. This tells us of the meeting with the Savior in that
home beyond the sky. There we shall see His face. There we will
sing His praises with the myriads of the redeemed. There all
tears are wiped away, and there is no night there. Nothing will
ever come between our souls and Himself. No sin, nothing to
darken or cloud the scene. There, joy, worship and praise for all
eternity. There shall be no separation, for the last enemy has
been destroyed. We shall be there because of that wondrous grace
of God who gave His only Son to purchase our pardon on Calvary's
cross. There His Precious blood will be the endless theme of
thanksgiving.